- Deep Archival Roots: The partnership dates back to early 2001 and 2002 international promos, starting with European spinning tops, Japanese plushies, and e-Reader compatible TCG cards.
- The 2002 Minimum Pack: The first dedicated card set ran from January 26 to February 24, 2002, featuring 6-card booster packs complete with guaranteed Holofoils.
- 2026 Return: McDonald’s is officially reviving the Pokémon TCG Happy Meal scavenger hunt starting Wednesday, November 5, through Tuesday, December 9, 2026.
McDonald’s is officially bringing Pokémon cards back.
Allow us to deliver the information once you’re done jumping for joy. Here’s the deal: the new Pokémon TCG promotion will give fans the opportunity to go on something of a scavenger hunt to find one of 15 cards in four-card booster packs.
Naturally, this news had us going straight into archival mode to find out the very first time these two heavyweights collaborated.
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Deep in the Vault: The 2001 & 2002 Beginnings
Taking it back to where it all began, the first-ever McDonald’s x Pokémon collaboration actually took place circa 2001 across Europe and Japan between April 11 and May 15, 2001. Included in that initial character lineup were fan-favorites like Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Hoothoot, and more.
According to Bulbagarden, air-pump toys were later distributed in Thailand between March 3 and March 29, 2002, alongside plushies that could be purchased by paying an extra 480 Yen fee on top of a Happy Meal.
However, when it comes to actual trading cards, the holy grail of early crossovers was the promotional set that ran exclusively in Japan from January 26 to February 24, 2002. Per Bulbagarden, each Happy Meal included a booster pack containing six cards, featuring at least one Holofoil card and one basic Energy card. Each of the six Energy cards even featured a holofoil and a non-holofoil variant, and the set was uniquely compatible with Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance e-Reader peripheral.
The 2026 Return: What You Need to Know
Fast forward to present day, and the franchise is leaning right back into that nostalgic thrill of the hunt.
The new 2026 collaboration is reported to start rolling out in the U.S. on Wednesday, November 5, 2026, and will run through Tuesday, December 9, 2026. Following the initial domestic launch, the promotion will expand to international participating locations—giving a whole new generation a chance to chase those booster packs.
Featured Photo: McDonald’s
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